"Cato!" I scream. I shake him harder, even go to slapping his face, but it's no use. His heart has failed. I am slapping emptiness. "Cato!" Finnick props Mags against a tree and pushes me out of the way. "Let me." His fingers touch points at Cato's neck, run over the bones in his ribs and spine. Then he pinches Cato's nostrils shut. I scream my head off, throwing myself into Finnick. Finnick's hand moves up and hits me hard, so forcefully in the chest that I am sent flying back into a nearby trunk. I'm stunned by the pain, by trying to regain my wind, "You're killing him!" I scream.
"Sweetie, if I wanted either of you dead, it would have been done by now." He assures. I meet eyes with him. My face pulls into a scowl as I gain my composure. Finnick leans back over Cato, pinching his nostrils close, and then he… Kisses him? No he's not kissing him. I'd seen this happen in the games before, a tribute boy had tried to save his partner by kissing her. Whatever it'd been it'd worked. Finnick pumps air into Cato's lungs, I can see his chest rising and falling, and He's breathing.
I look over to Mags who doesn't move from where Finnick had placed her. Then Finnick unzips the top of Cato's jumpsuit and begins to pump the spot over his heart with the heels of his hands. I notice a slight sense of trust flicker inside of me, he's saving him for me. I tell myself. I lean in desperately to watch, my own breathing makes me sick. How could I sit here enjoying this air while Cato is lying feet away, clinging to his life? Minute's pass by as my hope begins to waver off.
Around the time that I'm deciding it's too late, that Cato's dead, moved on, he gives a small cough and Finnick sits back. I push my weapons across the ground rushing to kiss Cato, I smile as he blinks in happiness, and his lashes flutter open as I cradle his head. "You were dead." I cry. "You stopped breathing." I say. He smiles. "Be careful, there's a force field up ahead." He laughs. I nod, placing my hands on his sweaty face.
XxxXxx.
Cato uses the cane Finnick had crafted to walk behind me, I toss pebbles towards the air in front of me as I go. "Were blocked in." I say, "I'm sure it goes all the way around the arena." I announce. Finnick crosses his arms. "Wonderful." He smiles. I catch his sarcasm. "Hold on." I say looking back at him. I pull myself up a tree making my way towards the top of the tree. I overlook the large rows of jungle. I set the notch of the bow, squinting my eyes.
I let the arrow fly watching it sail towards the sky. I watch as a dark sky overlaps the pink one. It only last a few seconds until the pink sky closes over the arena again. From here I can see a dense steam rise towards the sky, the water from the trees has all but evaporated. I turn, dropping back down. I land with a thud, Finnick and Mags sit on the ground, weaving baskets out of vines.
I press a small leaf in-between my fingers. I lean forward. "How was your trip?" Finnick asks. I shake my head. "No sign of fresh water." I say. "But there has to be some somewhere." Cato announces. I look over at him. "How do you know?" I ask. Finnick grins, his face set to say something sarcastic. "The wildlife here can't survive off saltwater." Cato says as he pulls off his rubber hand garters. I look at the heavy singe marks on his arm, the force field had hit him hard. I look at Finnick.
"Another surprise, this arena is a dome." I say. Finnick stops his weaving. "Why would they make it a dome?" He asks. I shrug leaning towards Mags, watching her work with the soft vines. "To keep us from wandering off too far, I don't know any other possible reason." I admit. I let out a sigh. "I'm going to find us something to eat." I say. Finnick looks warily at me. "Cato should go with you." He says. I shake my head. "He's too heavy footed, would give us away like that." I snap at the air. Cato doesn't seem to mind me leaving. I tuck a few knives into my belt, grabbing my sheath and bow as I stand. Finnick's weapons are laid out behind him and for a split second I think of taking him out. I catch Cato's stare before I can carry on with my thinking, he squints, cocking his head.
I move across the spongy floor my calf's aching in all of todays walking. I cover five feet easily, my stride quickens as I move from camp, and I'm in my zone. The sound of footsteps pushes me out of it. I turn when the shift in the air pushes against me. I face the sleek short haired woman, my eyes cross her face with such speed I could name every single feature in under five minutes. The pink highlights, the sparkling eyes. The crooked menacing look. Johanna Mason.
Before I can move, she crashes one of the axes through the air. I duck under it before it can crash into the depths of my stomach. I roll over, my fingers fumble over the bow trying to move it quick enough to hit the girl. She's too quick. She flips into me, her rubber boot smashes into my throat, pulling my head towards her chest.
I let out a blood curdling scream, wanting the whole arena to know of my assault. I push from her grip, twisting towards the earth. She picks me up by my braid plunging her elbow into my temple. I fall against a hard bark, panting like crazy. I lean against the tree trunk, trying hard to gain my surroundings. That's when the axe twists from behind the tree, slicing into my chin. I scream as the rubber handle chokes me. My head is thrown back and suddenly, all I can see is shapes, the shape of the light rubber boots running towards me, the shape of the bearded man with the round object in his palm, the shape of the object slamming into my head. And then, darkness.